Gov. Kemp: Some businesses can begin reopening with social distancing guidelines

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp speaks about the COVID-19 virus during a news conference at the Georgia state Capitol on Wednesday, April 8, 2020, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson) (Source: Brynn Anderson)

According to the governor’s office, minimum basic operations include but are not limited to screening workers for fever and respiratory illness, enhancing workplace sanitation, wearing masks and gloves, separating workplaces by six feet, teleworking if possible and staggered shifts.

Theaters, private social clubs and dine-in services at restaurants will be allowed to reopen on Monday, April 27, with specific social distancing guidelines and sanitation mandates. The governor’s office states that more details will be released later this week.

The President and CEO of the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce says he supports the governor’s decision and believes Savannahians are ready to get back to a working economy.

“It makes sense. We’re going to have to monitor the numbers closely and make sure that we don’t expose ourselves further but you got to get back to business. And it’ll never be business as usual but it’s got to happen slowly," said President and CEO Bill Hubbard.

Gov. Kemp: Some businesses can begin reopening with social distancing guidelines

Essential businesses were originally the only ones allowed to operate through Governor Kemp's state-wide shelter in place order.

Savannah Mayor Van Johnson posted the following on Facebook after Governor Kemp’s announcement.

Tybee Island Mayor Shirley Sessions was on CNN Monday night reacting to the governor’s decision. She says it’s a big safety concern for the entire island. They’re worried that people from hot spots around the country will bring even more risks for the coronavirus to the three mile long island.

“We really are not ready. We don’t have lifeguards in place. We have a very small staff that has not really stepped up for the season. Most importantly, when people come in, what are they going to leave with and leave us with?”

While Sessions says they depend on tourism and want the workforce back, they don’t want to risk the safety of this community or the country.

Georgia Department of Public Health Update

The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) reported 19,399 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state, according to the 7 p.m. Monday (4/20) update.

The total deaths related to COVID-19 is now at 775. A total of 3,703 confirmed cases are hospitalized.

Six deaths have been reported in Chatham County, two in Bryan County, two deaths in Bulloch County, one in Effingham County, one in Screven County, one in Bacon County, and three in Toombs County.

Over 84,000 coronavirus tests have been conducted statewide.

The following are the number of confirmed cases for counties in the WTOC viewing area, according to DPH:

Saturday’s update brings the total number of people confirmed to have COVID-19 in South Carolina to 13,916 and those who have died to 545, according to the Department of Health and Environmental Control.